Pennsylvania Unanimously Approves Semi-Auto Shotguns for Deer Hunting

The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently approved the use of semi-auto shotguns statewide for deer, bear and elk hunting.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners unanimously approved a bill to allow semi-auto shotguns for big-game hunting throughout the state.

Prior to the approval, hunters were only allowed to use semi-automatic shotguns within specific areas near Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and only for deer and bear. Shotguns must be 12 gauge or bigger for elk hunting.

The new regulation will take effect this year.

The regulation stipulates that shotgun ammunition must be slugs, as buckshot won't be allowed.

A handful of states mandate "shotgun-only" firearm deer seasons. Shotguns were once thought to be safer than centerfire rifles, in that the a shotgun slug didn't travel as far as a rifle slug. But with the development of modern rifled shotgun slugs, no discernible difference in safety between the two firearms is apparent.

As of this time, the Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping Digest hasn't made updates to reflect the new regulation.

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